Motivation to collaborate: A qualitative exploration of the perspectives of nonprofit service providers on an alternative first response program

Portland Street Response (PSR) is an alternative first response program located in Portland, Oregon. The program assists individuals experiencing mental health crises by providing an unarmed first response in non-violent situations that ordinarily would be responded to by armed police officers. In order for such programs to thrive, collaboration with other organizations is crucial. Service-providing organizations are uniquely prepared to collaborate with programs such as PSR due to their proximity to vulnerable communities. Currently, there is a lack of information about the perspectives of service providers concerning alternative first response programs, particularly regarding their motivations for collaboration. The current study utilizes qualitative interviewing methods to examine motivation to collaborate. Qualitative interviews were conducted with 16 participants and then analyzed to uncover key themes. The current study resulted in themes pertaining to motivations for collaboration, including the importance of building relationships, establishing and maintaining trust, and themes pertaining to shared values, such as a commitment to equity. The current study also revealed the importance of concrete program features in relation to collaboration, specifically access to resources and mobility. This research has implications for other alternative first response programs collaborating with local service providers in communities across the US.